Original Instagram caption: It takes a village. So proud and honored to be a part of this amazing IR team. One team, one goal. Go Cooper! @cooperuniversityhealthcare (Photo credit: Lourdes Alanis/Society of Interventional Radiology).

On Friday, September 28, 2018, Lourdes Alanis, a fourth-year resident with Cooper’s Diagnostic Radiology program, gave Instagram followers a look into the world of interventional radiology (IR). This opportunity was provided by the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR), which highlighted six women in IR as part of a social media campaign in September celebrating Women in Medicine Month. Each physician shared photos on SIR’s Instagram, walking followers through their “day in the life” at various institutions across the country. These women in IR shared a look into the myriad conditions and diseases interventional radiologists treat every day through minimally invasive, image-guided methods and how they work together with colleagues to maximize patient-centered care.

“SIR provided me with the opportunity to share my day as a fourth-year radiology resident in the Interventional Radiology Department at Cooper with the rest of the IR community,” said Lourdes. “Interventional radiology is an exciting field that specializes in image-guided, minimally-invasive procedures. IR offers patients an alternative for the treatment of many medical conditions such as uterine artery embolization for fibroids, transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma, and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for portal hypertension and varices seen in patients with liver cirrhosis. With advanced technologies and daily innovations, the sky’s the limit in IR. Using image guidance (US, CT, MRI, etc.) one can treat a patient from head to toe through a tiny incision in the neck, arm, or groin! Throughout the years more women have joined the field of IR as it provides tremendous opportunities. It is an amazing field and one that I am proud to be a part of.

“Here in the Interventional Radiology Department at Cooper University Health Care we pride ourselves in providing quality and personalized care for all our patients. Although I originally pursued a career in surgery, my experiences as an intern helped redirect my goals in life. After being introduced to the field of IR by my mentor, it immediately appealed to me with the combination of image-guided, minimally invasive procedures, a deep knowledge of imaging and the human anatomy, and direct patient care. Moreover, I was drawn to IR because the field requires innovative thinking and is at the forefront of redefining the future of medicine by creating game-changing techniques and therapies.

“The traditional pathway to IR includes a four-year Diagnostic Radiology residency followed by a one-year fellowship in Vascular and Interventional Radiology. I chose to pursue my Diagnostic Radiology residency at Cooper University Health Care because I knew I would obtain a strong foundation in Diagnostic Radiology (for my fellowship and career) as it is the only Level 1 Trauma Center in South Jersey offering a large volume of high-level cases, is a primary stroke center, and is affiliated with University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Moreover, growing up in a similar community as Camden and having received my medical education from the PRIME-Leadership and Advocacy Program at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, I felt Cooper mirrored my mission in providing medical care to a diverse patient population. I will continue my journey in IR by completing an IR fellowship next year at UCLA.”

Original Instagram caption: Today we will be following Lourdes Alanis, an Early Specialization in IR (ESIR) fourth-year radiology resident as she rotates through the Interventional Radiology Department at Cooper University Health Care in Camden, NJ. (Photo credit: Lourdes Alanis/Society of Interventional Radiology.)

Original Instagram caption: Welcome to @cooperuniversityhealthcare where we begin the day with morning rounds and triage our never-ending inpatient consult list. Where every day begins with, “You’re gonna learn today!” (Photo credit: Lourdes Alanis/Society of Interventional Radiology).

Original Instagram caption: I begin my day by assisting my Attending and mentor, Dr. Sabina Amin, in a Y90 radioembolization case. We discuss anatomy, the patient’s history, indications for Y90 treatment/complications, and every now and then our favorite musicians. (Photo credit: Lourdes Alanis/Society of Interventional Radiology).

Original Instagram caption: A day in IR would be incomplete if we did not get to mentor! I enjoy interacting and teaching medical students as they are the future of IR. (Photo credit: Lourdes Alanis/Society of Interventional Radiology).

Original Instagram caption: Following the morning cases, I get to attend afternoon conference. Today’s conference is on the Pulmonary Circulation. Here we see my attending and mentor, Dr. Jacinto Camarena, passionately quiz us on the artery of Adamkiewicz. (Photo credit: Lourdes Alanis/Society of Interventional Radiology).

Original Instagram caption: She inspires me every day and encourages me to dream BIG. Thank you Dr. Sabina Amin! (Photo credit: Lourdes Alanis/Society of Interventional Radiology).

Original Instagram caption: I hope you enjoyed hanging out with us today at the Coop! Honored to be part of this team of amazing, hard-working, self-less, and giving individuals. Go IR! @cooperuniversityhealthcare (Photo credit: Lourdes Alanis/Society of Interventional Radiology).

Cooper’s expert staff of board-certified, fellowship-trained radiologists and registered technologists provides patients and referring physicians with the highest level of service and care. To learn more about radiology services at Cooper, click here. If you’re interested in learning more about our Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program, click here.